What went wrong with Florida’s COVID-19 response?
At first, Florida’s coronavirus numbers defied expectations when Gov. Ron DeSantis became one of the first state leaders to open the economy. But in recent weeks, the numbers spiked — and DeSantis’ response has come under fire. That includes from Sean Shaw, a former Florida Democratic lawmaker, who joined Jim on The Final 5.
What will Election Day look like?
While President Trump has been adamant about opposing mail-in ballots as states scramble to re-assess plans amid the pandemic, Election Day 2020 will undoubtedly look much different than ones in the past. What’s at stake? David Daley, author of 'Unrigged: How Americans Are Battling Back to Save Democracy,' joined Jim on The Final 5 to explain what should be done, how states can address the long lines that plagued primary voting across the country and in the DMV, and what voters can expect when they visit the polls on November 3rd.
Tan suits, beans, and Kanye
After a week that started with Roger Stone’s commutation and calls for a boycott for Goya products, the news cycle rolls on with Mitch McConnell’s tan suit in the Oval Office, and Kanye West’s strange rollout of a presidential 'campaign.' Washington Examiner commentary writer Siraj Hashmi joins Jim on The Final 5 to break it all down.
New numbers show support for COVID-19 business plans
Support is growing for a piece of legislation that would implement a national program to help businesses and workplaces recover from the coronavirus pandemic. Pollster Scott Rasmussen broke down the numbers on support for the Workplace Recovery Act. He joined Jim on The Final 5 to explain what it means.
John Bolton: One-on-One
Former National Security Advisor John Bolton joins Jim on The Final 5 to talk about his new best-selling book, “The Room Where It Happened,” where he details his time working in the Trump White House. He says he has no regrets about taking the job, even while he believes his former boss could be a serious threat to the nation in a second term. He also explains why he declined to testify before Congress in the impeachment inquiry, what the reaction to the book has been so far, and why he believes Vladimir Putin outmatched President Trump.
How will POTUS, Biden pay for economic plans?
President Trump says he built the strongest economy of all time, but his Democratic challenger, former Vice President Joe Biden claims it hasn’t worked for everyone. Now, with economists predicting a long, drawn out recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, the question is how both candidates will pay for their plans. Princeton University scholar and lecturer Dr. Lauren A. Wright joined Jim on The Final 5 to lay out the challenges for both candidates ahead of the November election.
What’s next after Trump tax rulings?
After a pair of 7-2 rulings today at the Supreme Court, both Democrats and the White House are claiming victory as the President’s tax returns remain a major mystery. Attorney Kelly Hyman thinks the public has a right to know what’s in them. She joined Jim on The Final 5 to explain what’s next.
Guardian Angels’ founder: police are being 'neutered'
Curtis Sliwa started the Guardian Angels - with the ubiquitous red berets - in New York City to stem the rising crime in the late ‘70s. Now, a New York City radio talk show host, he believes the recent protests against police are heralding a return to the days where America’s streets are too dangerous. He joined Jim on The Final 5 to break down what can be done across the country and here in D.C.
Blackout Tuesday effort aims to help Black-owned businesses
Americans were encouraged to make their voices heard with their wallets today, in what’s been dubbed #BlackOutTuesday. The goal? To drive business to Black-owned businesses across the country. The effort isn’t new, but it took on new meaning this year. Leslie Ricard Chambers joined Jim on The Final 5 to explain how the effort can take flight for more than just one day a year.
Trump tax ruling to cap off eventful SCOTUS session
The Supreme Court has already ruled on abortion rights and LGBTQ equality this year, but this week could bring a landmark decision on whether Congress and federal prosecutors could access President Trump’s tax returns. Attorney Richard Roth joins Jim on The Final 5 to break down the decision so far, the new political balance on the bench, and how the Supreme Court will play into voters’ minds ahead of November’s election.
New numbers reflect Americans' top concerns for 2020
With just four months until the 2020 election, there are new polls reflecting what may be driving Americans to the polls — including the economy and health care. Cliff Young, president of IPSOS Public Affairs, joined Jim on The Final 5 to show the results of new IPSOS polling on the state of politics.
A Recipe For Bipartisanship
When she served as the minority leader of the Ohio Senate, Capri Cafaro would often bake pies to celebrate bipartisan victories with her colleagues from across the aisle. Now, she’s documented recipes from across the country, contributed by prominent Democrats like Pete Buttigieg and Kathleen Matthews, and Republicans, including Michael Steele and former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer. Her new cookbook 'United We Eat' is up for presale now, and she joined Jim on The Final 5 to talk about her inspiration. LINK: www.UnitedWeEat.com
Women leaders tested in times of crisis
As Americans are confronted with multiple crises, from Coronavirus to civil unrest, some female leaders are taking front-and-center roles in handling it all. Amanda Hunter from the Barbara Lee Family Foundation joined Jim on The Final 5 to break down new research and polling in how voters are responding to the way some of the nation’s top female officials are handling the new challenges.
Journalism faces new challenges during unprecedented times
The controversy over a New York Times op-ed, and President Trump's success in pointing out the media's shortcomings (both fairly and unfairly) are underscoring the new challenges that journalism is facing in the 21st century. Boston Globe editorial page editor Bina Venkataraman (author of The Optimist’s Telescope) and James Madison University journalism professor Ryan Parkhurst joined Jim on The Final 5 to delve into the issue.
Recap of the Week
GOP political analyst and columnist Julio Rivera joins FOX 5's Marina Marraco on The Final 5 to recap the week!
Parler wants to be a town square for the web
While Twitter was instrumental for President Trump’s rise in the world of politics, the social media giant has been the subject of much criticism after he recently decided to begin flagging certain tweets from the President, which it says violated its own policies. Now, the upstart app Parler is peeling away disaffected users, particularly conservatives, by promising a platform free of self-censorship. CEO John Matze joined Jim on The Final 5 to make the case for Parler.
What’s next in the Michael Flynn case?
As an appeals court directs a judge to drop the case against President Trump’s former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, is this the end of the road for his legal troubles? Former New York State Assistant Attorney General Tristan Snell joined Jim on The Final 5 to break down what’s next, and how U.S. Attorney General William Barr figures into today’s 2-1 ruling.
'Bar Rescue' star on re-opening restaurants, dealing with bureaucracy
As the D.C. region slowly reopens amid the coronavirus pandemic, bar and restaurant owners find themselves facing a new frontier, confronted by the reality of new safety protocols and government bureaucracy. The star of 'Bar Rescue,' Jon Taffer, joined Jim Lokay on The Final 5 to talk about what’s next for the local restaurant industry, and talked about his new Taffer’s Tavern concept, with 5 locations set to open in the region.
DC statehood to go up for House vote
June 26 will mark the first time the full House of Representatives will vote on statehood for the District of Columbia. Bo Shuff from DC Vote joined Jim to talk about what’s next for the effort, and how his group plans to overcome staunch opposition from the Republican-led Senate.
Mail-in voting gets powerful bipartisan push
While President Trump has derided mail-in voting as rife for fraud, the pandemic has forced the hand of many states, as they transition to that model ahead of primaries and the November election. Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, who also served as the nation’s first Homeland Security Secretary, is co-chairing an effort supporting mail-in balloting called VoteSafe.us, along with former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat. He joined Jim on The Final 5 to talk about why he supports the effort, and what advice he’d give President Trump when it comes to getting out the vote.